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Former Blackhawks in the Pros West Aurora High School maintains a long and distinguished list of alumni which includes a number of former and current professional baseball players. Heading the list is Rich Becker, class of 1990. Rich was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1990 amateur draft by the Minnesota Twins. He made his major league debut in 1993 with the Minnesota Twins where he went on to have a number of successful seasons. Rich also played with the New York Mets, Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics, and Detroit Tigers. He ended his major league career after the 2000 season with 8 years of major league service.
Also, among the list of current professional players is Derek Santiago, class of 1994. Derek was originally drafted out of high school by the Florida Marlins in the 37th round of the1994 amateur draft.. After playing 1 season at Waubonsee Community College, Derek signed with the Marlins and began his professional career. After his release from the Marlins organization, Derek went on to play with the Cook County Cheetahs (1998) whose home is in Crestwood, Illinois. Derek then moved onto the Northern League where he played in Atlantic City(1998), Schaumburg(1999), and Adirondack(1999-2002) before spending the 2003 season with the Joliet Jackhammers. Greg Miller, class of 1997, is currently playing with the Round Rock Express (AA) in the Houston Astros organization. Originally a 5th round selection by the Boston Red Sox in 1997, Greg was traded to the Houston Astros , along with current Astros shortstop Adam Everett, in a deal for Carl Everett. Prior to spring training in 2003, Greg was put on the 40 man roster for the Astros but has yet to make it to the big leagues. He did play part of the 2003 season in New Orleans, the AAA affiliate of the Astros. Prior to the 2004 season, Greg decided to retire from professional baseball. Another Blackhawk playing professionally is Preston Larrison, class of 1998. Preston was originally drafted in the 20th round of the 1998 amateur draft but decided to go to the University of Evansville. After 3 seasons at Evansville, Preston was selected in the 2nd round of the 2001 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers. In 3 seasons of minor league baseball, Preston reached AAA in the summer of 2003, making one start for the Toledo Mudhens. He spent the majority of the season in AA with the Erie Sea Dogs. In 2003, he saw action in the futures game played before the All-Star game at U.S. Cellular Field. He began the 2004 season at AA Erie with the hopes of an eventual call up to the "show". Preston ranks among the top prospects in the Detroit Tigers farm system.
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Blackhawk Baseball / 1201 W. New York Street / Aurora, IL 60506 |
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